


Spiritual Counsel 

AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



-, . 




Copyright N°_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



flr£0?tti?& 




3n 



«n 



— 




REV. J. W. GABLE 



SPIRITUAL 
Gounsel and Encouragement 

REV. J: W: GABLE 



YOCUMTOWN, PA. 



This book is especially designed to reach the com- 
mon class of people, and is adapted 
to the average reader. 



Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the 
old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye 
shall find rest for your souls/' — (Jer. 6:16). 



PRICE, FIFTY GENTS 



HARRISBURG, PA.: 

Central Printing /& Publishing House 

1907 






iUS«A8Y of CONGRESS] 

AUG 6 

//CsoMTJch! Entry 
jtU&s'C*- XXc, No. 
COPY b. / 



Copyright, 1907 

By J. W. Gable 

Yocumtown, Pa. 



CONTENTS 

Page. 

Endorsement, 9 

Preliminary Remarks, 11 

Christ Not a Hard Master, 15 

Admonition to Sinners, 21 

Fault-Finding, 35 

Result of Disobedience, 39 

The Unpardonable Sin, 43 

Counsel and Encouragement for Penitents, 49 

Christ and Peter on the Sea of Galilee, 53 

The Truth of John iii 16, 57 

The Human Side of Salvation (True Faith), 63 

Advice to Young Converts, 69 

Prayer, 77 

Christian Duties, 89 

Parable of the Ten Virgins, 93 



ENDORSEMENT 

This booklet of "Spiritual Counsel and Encour- 
agement" is the thoughtful work of one of the young- 
est ministers in the East Pennsylvania Eldership. It 
should receive an equally thoughtful, and as well a 
prayerful, reading. It has many helpful and encour- 
aging words for believers and non-believers. The 
counsels are very appropriate and suggestive. We 
have read it with spiritual profit in manuscript, and 
believe it has a mission. It can not be read as it 
should be without spiritual profit to the reader, what- 
ever be his relationship to God. It makes no preten- 
tions to fine diction, or to depth of thought; but it 
is written with a heart prompted by love for the wel- 
fare of souls. No one ever rightly hears a sermon 
thus preached, or reads a book thus written, without 
better thoughts, stronger purposes for good and no- 
bler aspirations. 

C. H. Forney, D. D., LL. D., 

Harrisburg, Pa. Editor "Church Advocate/' 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS 

Some one has truthfully said, "Read not to contra- 
dict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, 
nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and con- 
sider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swal- 
lowed, and some few are to be chewed and digested; 
that is, some books are to be read only in parts ; others 
to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read 
wholly, and with diligence and attention/' 

I have written this little book with a sincere pur- 
pose and an unprejudiced mind, and it is my strong 
belief that it merits the careful consideration of all 
who may have the privilege of reading it. I believe 
that a copy of it should be in every home, or library ; 
not that I claim it to be superior to all other books of 
a similar character, but because it contains the hon- 
est convictions of one who desires to know and dis- 
close the truth. 

I am well aware that some will say that there are 
already too many books, and that the Bible is the 
only book necessary. But when I see the same per- 
sons who raise such objections buy other books of 
less value than mine, some even of detrimental char- 
acter, and moreover fail to read the Bible of which 
they so highly speak, I am more determined to pursue 
my course than before. I am sure that I am right, 

and I go ahead. 

— ii — 



I admit that the Bible is a sufficient guide for any 
heaven-bound traveler, if it is read daily and under- 
stood rightly ; but, alas, how few there are who read 
it with an honest purpose, if they read it at all, and 
how many there are who do not understand it when 
they read it. The Bible is a large book, and it re- 
quires much time and study to gain a clear conception 
of it. Therefore God has called, and still calls, men to 
leave all secular employments, that they may devote 
their whole life, time and talent to the study and 
preaching of the gospel. We may preach by tongue or. 
pen, from the pulpit or through the press : I preach 
by both methods. The Apostle Paul and many others 
did likewise. 

Never in the history of the world were there so 
many bad books printed and read as in the beginning 
of this twentieth century. There was, therefore, never 
a greater need for good books than at the present time. 
However, if men would love to read the Bible as they 
love to read newspapers and fictitious tales, I could 
afford to quit writing and preaching and go back to 
my trade. 

There are but two classes of people to whom this 
little volume is not directed. It is not directed to any 
who are so wise as to understand all of the Bible, so 
that they can learn no more ; nor is it directed to any 
who do not accept the Bible as the inspired word of 
God. This little book is not to be considered as a 
substitute for the word of God, nor as a supplement 






— 12 — 



to it; but rather as an encouragement to accept and 
practice the precepts and believe and lay hold on the 
promises of which it teaches. It is designed further- 
more to give a clearer light to those who diligently in- 
quire after the way of salvation, by properly associat- 
ing one passage of Scripture with another; or to an- 
swer such as would know what to do to be saved by 
referring them to the passages in the word of God 
where the question is answered. In fact, this little 
book is full of counsel and encouragement. 

That some one else might have treated these sub- 
jects more thoroughly I will not dispute, for I aimed 
to give truth rather than fine rhetoric. I have written 
according £o my convictions, and I could not afford to 
do otherwise in order to gain the applause of man. 
And whether my efforts will be successful is not to be 
determined now, but shall be determined at the judg- 
ment of the great day. If then I may learn that I have 
been instrumental in bringing one soul to Christ, I 
shall know that my work has been a success. But if 
no one will give ear to my pleading and counsel, and 
if I shall have no precious sheaves to take with me 
for the garner of the Lord, I hope to feel at least that 
I have tried. And, oh, that I may hear the Master 
say of me, "He has done what he could.'' 

J. W. G. 



—13— 



I 

Christ Not a Ha rd Master § 

z 

"His commandments are not grievous" (I John * 
v. 3). % 

$ I 

if. $ i|i » | > fr % > frfr > | « i| i fr >fr >fr >fr > fr > fr *x < % >| > >fr >E »f» "fr »fr > fr *$» *l * *t* "E > % % ♦ »fr » fr fr > fr »> >£ "I " >fr 

THIS assertion is just as true as any other state- 
ment found in the sacred Scriptures. It is 
known to be a fact by all true Christians ; but 
the unconverted are inclined to look upon Christ as a 
hard master. 

We have many infallible proofs that his command- 
ments are not grievous, such as may be found in the 
Bible, by experience and observation; but I think 
the most conclusive proof is that which may be felt 
in a Christian's heart. 

The Bible teaches us that God wishes his children 
nothing but the greatest good. He has no delight in 
seeing them laden down with unnecessary burdens. 
When certain false teachers tried to make the Gentile 
converts believe that circumcision was necessary to sal- 
vation, it pleased God to inspire the Apostles and 
elders of the church to write letters to their brethren, 
stating that it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to 
the church to lay upon them no greater burden than 
these necessary things. When they had read the let- 
ter they rejoiced for the consolation (See Acts xv. 
22-31). 

By our own experience we know that his command- 
ments are not grievous. Before we were converted by 

—15— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



the grace of God we looked upon the commandments 
of Christ as severe and rigorous; but when God 
changed our natures, and sanctified us by his Spirit, 
and filled our hearts with love, we were converted all 
around and through and through, and we no longer 
considered Christ a hard master, but found him a 
friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 

If we will but observe the experience of others we 
can see that his commandments are not grievous. 
Wicked men who would have hid their talents in the 
earth ; men who were afraid of Christ and his cross ; 
men who would have nothing to do with Jesus, when 
once wrought upon by the all-sufficient grace of God 
no longer wasted their time and strength in idleness, 
but were frequently heard to cry, "Lord, what wilt 
thou have me to do?" They are no more afraid of 
Chirst and the cross, but declare them their greatest 
glory. Instead of having nothing to do with Jesus, 
he is now their all in all. They consecrate their lives 
to him. They take up their cross daily. They delight 
to do his will because he saved them, gave them a new 
heart and turned them completely around, so that the 
things they once loved they now hate, and the things 
they once hated they now love. "Old things are 
passed away; behold, all things are become new" 
(II. Cor. v. 17). However, to have an experience like 
this, one must be born again. 

But I said that I believe that the most conclusive 
proof is that which is felt in a Christian's heart. Do 
what you please, or say what you will, you can never 
dissuade him concerning the "peace of God, which 
passeth all understanding" (Phil. v. 7), nor "the love 

—16— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



of Christ, which passeth knowledge" (Eph. iii. 19). 
He has gone too far to be deceived by sceptics, infidels, 
or the devil himself, for he has had a glimpse of 
Jesus. The eternal God is his refuge, and underneath 
are the everlasting arms. His heart is filled with su- 
preme love, and this makes all things easy. "There- 
fore, love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. xiii.io). 

The sinner does not believe that the commandments 
of Christ are not grievous else he would become a 
Christian ; but such disbelief does not change the truth. 
As instances I will cite the following: 

For a long time it was universally believed that 
the earth is flat; but infallible tests have proven it to 
be round, and also much larger than at first supposed. 
It was at first believed that the sun moved, and the 
earth stood still; but now we all know that the earth 
moves, and the sun stands still. 

The reason that it was believed that the earth is 
flat is because so little of it can be seen at a time. 

The reason that some think the sun moves is because 
the earth moves, and this makes it seem so, just as 
when we look through a window of a fast train the 
trees and fences seem to fly at great speed. Even 
Joshua of old did not know of his error when he com- 
manded the sun to stand still ; but God knew what he 
wanted, and he doubtless answered his prayer by pull- 
ing the reins of this swift-flying planet on its journey 
around the sun. 

The sinner knows so little about the love and grace 
of God that I do not wonder that he thinks religion is 
a gloomy thing. He sees the results of the doctrine of 
false teachers and vain pretenders, and having no ex- 

—17— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



perience of the grace of God in his own heart, he nat- 
urally concludes that all is vanity. But to me it is 
a standing proof that Christianity is a good thing be- 
cause so many try to imitate it. 

The mischief arising from considering Christ as a 
hard master is more than a little. For as long as one 
thinks that the commandments of Christ are grievous 
and the gospel a system of slavery, he will not willingly 
become one of Christ's followers. And unless he fol- 
lows willingly, he will not follow at all ; and as long 
as he does not follow Christ he cannot claim him as 
his own personal Savior. Because sinners think that 
the commandments of Christ are grievous, they will 
put off their return to God until quite late in life, as 
though they expected then to be released from duty 
out of respect for their age. Such, of course, are 
ignorant of the fact that his yoke is easy and his bur- 
den light (See Matt. xi. 30). And about the time 
they think of beginning to live a different life, Satan 
says, "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding 
of the hands to sleep" (Pro. vi. 10). "Then sudden 
destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a wo- 
man with child; and they shall not escape" (I Thes. 

v-3). 

It is not the truly converted that think the way to 
heaven is difficult. It is not they who worship God 
with the whole heart that find his service unpleasant 
and distasteful, but such as try to serve two masters, 
thus serving neither of them right, and having the 
displeasure of both; such as are converted only by 
education, or book knowledge, but whose hearts know 
nothing of it. No wonder that sinners faint at a Chris- 

—18— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



tian's duty. No wonder that carnally minded men 
faint at spiritual things. They need a deep work of 
grace in their wicked hearts, which is the only secret 
of endurance. 

This work of grace, which is the secret of endur- 
ance, is accomplished by him who did many other 
things just as great and mysterious. He made earth, 
sea and sky; sun, moon and stars. He formed man 
out of the dust of the earth, breathed into his nostrils 
the breath of life, and man became a living soul. And 
can God not now fill man's heart so full of love that 
obedience to him will be delightful? Reader, "stand 
still and consider the wondrous works of God." 

But what are the commandments of Christ? They 
are principally included in this: "Follow me, and I 
will make you fishers of men" (Matt, iv.19). Our 
first duty, then, is to love God ; and our second duty 
is to help to save our fellow-men. Reader, I again 
ask you, Why should you be loath to follow a friend 
who loves you with a greater love than that of a moth- 
er's for her darling child? Can it be hard to keep 
from sinning when God makes sin hateful to you by 
creating within you a clean heart and a right spirit? 
If your heart is right you would sooner do anything 
else than displease him. And if you are a Christian, 
can it be unpleasant to serve him who has answered 
your penitential prayers and whispered, "Thy sins be 
forgiven thee" (Matt. ix. 2), and who has taken you 
out of deep waters and planted your feet safely on 
the "Rock of Ages ?" Is it a grief to you to tell your 
friends and neighbors of the love of Jesus, and to per- 
suade them to go along with you to heaven ? 

—19— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



O thou poor, undone creature ! When once you are 
what Christ would make you, you will prefer to be 
cast into a furnace of fire rather than be disloyal to 
God. You would risk a den of lions rather than quit 
your prayers. You would sooner be burned at the 
stake as a martyr than to give up your faith in Jesus. 
Yea, and if you were to testify to this truth, as you 
will be constrained by love to do, even though before 
your conversion you had been told again and again 
that his commandments are not grievous, your testi- 
mony now would be somewhat like that of the Queen 
of Sheba's : "Howbeit, I believed not the words, until 
I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the 
half was not told me" (I. Kings x. 7). 

"Ah, soul, are you here without comfort or rest, 
Marching down the rough pathway of time? 

Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark ; 
Oh, accept this sweet peace so sublime." 




—20— 



■" V~V" V V V V V "V ft ft ft V""ft~ft"V V V V"*^ 

Admonition to Sinners 1 

"Ponder the path of thy feet" (Pro. iv. 26). $ 

* "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wis- 4- 
f dom" (Ps. cxL 10). % 

» * * ft ft ft ft % $ ft ft ft , |. ft >:■ ft ft ft * *■ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

MY mission is to call the attention of sinners to 
the salvation of their souls. I do this not by 
my own authority, but in obedience to the 
great Commission of my Lord: "Go, ye, into all the 
world, and preach the gospel to every creature" ( Mark 
xvi. 15). Not that I am to undertake to do this great 
work all myself; I am only to do of it what I can. 

I am well aware that I may be looked upon by some 
as an intruder, because I give counsel to those who 
did not ask me for it; but as one of the watchmen 
over the interests and eternal welfare of our fellow 
men, I must sound the gospel trumpet: "Repent, ye, 
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. iii. 2). 
As a minister of the gospel I must "preach the word ; 
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, 
exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" (II. Tim. 
iv. 2). As an ambassador for Christ I must look 
after the interests of his kingdom. As a child of 
God I must be about my Father's business. 

If, while passing your residence some morning very 
early, I should discover that your house was on fire, 
while you and your family were inside fast asleep, 

— 21 — 
SC&K— 2 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



would I be considered an intruder if I would loudly 
call you and inform you of the danger to which you 
are exposed? Sttrely not. Yet such would be a 
small matter compared with the interests of your 
never dying soul. If, then, I would be justified in 
proclaiming to you such unwelcome news when I was 
not asked to do so, why should I not be justified to 
proclaim to you the good news of the gospel? 

I am not to determine the future destiny of any 
one. God has reserved that right and power to him- 
self. I can do no more than urge this matter upon 
you; but that I do diligently, lest you should some 
time lie in hell, wishing, when it is too late, that you 
had pondered the path of your feet. The admonition 
that I am about to give you is of good will, and I trust 
it will be received as such. If, however, after I have 
shown you the path of peace and earnestly exhorted 
you to walk therein, you should prefer to go on in 
sin, I shall feel at least that I have done my duty. 

This little book doubtless will be read by some with 
whom I am not acquainted, and whose faces I will 
never see. I, therefore, leave it for you, who read 
these lines, to determine whether you are a saint or 
a sinner, or whether you are saved or unsaved. That 
you may make no mistake in your decision, I will refer 
you to certain texts of Scripture, which, if you will 
carefully and sincerely study, will clearly decide where 
you stand. 

You are a Christian if you love God supremely. 
That is, if you love him more than all things in the 
world, so that you would rather think and speak of 
him than think and speak of worldly things. "Thou 



— 22- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all 
thy strength" (Mark xii. 30). If you would sooner 
read the Bible and go to prayer-meeting than to read 
newspapers and story books, or attend parties and 
theaters, then you undoubtedly love God. "For to be 
carnally minded is death ; but to be spiritually minded 
is life and peace" (Rom. viii. 6). 

If you are a Christian you will know it; no one 
needs to tell you, for, "He that believeth on the Son 
of God hath the witness in himself" (I. John v. 10). 

Have you the spirit of Christ? Christ had a meek 
and quiet spirit. He went about from place to place 
doing good, and he was especially mindful of the sick 
and the poor. He had good will even toward his 
enemies, and he always returned good for evil. His 
will was always to do the will of him that sent him. 
"Now, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is 
none of his" (Rom. viii. 9). 

If your profession of love to God is to stand, you 
must prove it by following Christ through storm as 
well as through sunshine, for he says, "Whosoever 
does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be 
my disciple" (Luke xiv. 2j). 

The following counsel is for those who have 
learned by examining the Scriptures that they are yet 
unsaved; who have weighed themselves in the bal- 
ances, and found themselves wanting. 

It is indeed a serious thing that you have wasted 
so much of your time and talents in the service of sin. 
Doubtless you have already helped to ruin some one 
whom you might have led to Christ. I do not say 

—23— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



that you have tried to bring any one to ruin ; but you 
are traveling in that direction, and some have followed 
you. The only difference between you and some of 
them whom you have unconsciously influenced to go 
your way is, they outran you and got to the end of the 
road, while you have not yet reached it; their case is 
utterly hopeless, but you may yet turn back if you 
will. 

You may be a good citizen and an example in 
morals, so that it might be said of you, "Thou art not 
far from the kingdom of God" (Mark xii. 34) ; and 
by your good qualities you may encourage others to 
be just as good as you are. But because you are with- 
out Christ, all who imitate you will be without Christ. 
And when the judgment will be set and the books 
opened, you and your fellow travelers, not having 
had your names recorded in "the Lamb's book of life," 
will all be shut out of heaven. 

A man must not necessarily be wicked to be a 
sinner. An ungodly man; that is, a man without the 
grace of God in the soul, has no more chance of get- 
ting to heaven than a hypocrite. "Except ye be con- 
verted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter 
into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt, xviii. 3). The 
sin of unbelief, or rejecting Christ, is sufficient to 
condemn any man, for, "He that believeth not shall be 
damned" (Luke xvi. 16). So the question is not are 
you guilty of blood, do you steal, do you swear or 
break the Sabbath ; but, do you accept Jesus Christ as 
your Savior and King. 

There is nothing in a sinner that is lovely. In 
fact, about the only thing in a saint that is lovely is 

—24— 



I 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



that which was imparted to him from heaven. God 
hates sin. Man by nature hates God. Notwithstand- 
ing all these facts, God loves the sinner. "God so 
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, 
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life" (John iii. 16). 

"Some mortals may wonder how heaven can bend 

Down, down to the lowly and speak as a friend; 
Some ask us the question how justice can spare; 

Go, search in the Scriptures, Love's reason is there. 
"Love tenderly pleadeth, 'Soul, open the door! 

Thy Savior would enter to leave thee no more.' 
All heaven is waiting thine answer to know ; 

How can'st thou refuse him who loveth thee so?" 

Do you say, "I didn't do anything bad ?" How can 
you say so when you know that all these years you 
have been rejecting Christ, abusing God's love and 
grieving the Holy Spirit? Did you not learn by ex- 
amining the Scriptures, and were you not forced to 
admit, that you have come far short of what God re- 
quires of you ? How is it that you would, notwith- 
standing all this, still make it appear that you are good 
enough as you are? I cannot persuade myself to be- 
lieve anything else than that you only say such things 
for an excuse. You surely do not mean what you 
say. 

I do not see how a man could be so foolish as to 
hope to be saved by offering his own good works as 
an atonement for his sin, when he knows that it took 
no less than the blood of Christ to make an atone- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



ment for him. How can a man please God in his 
natural state, being unclean, and all his works, es- 
pecially when wrought as a ground for his justifica- 
tion, offensive? "We [those of us who are not made 
clean through the blood of Christ, and whose works 
are not of faith] are all as an unclean thing, and 
all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. lxiv. 
6). Even "the plowing of the wicked is sin" (Prov. 
xxi. 4). Why, then, indulge in a hope that has been 
refuted nineteen centuries ago on Calvary? "For 
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of 
yourselves : it is the gift of God : not of works, lest 
any man should boast" (Eph. ii. 8, 9). 

It is true that we, especially we who have already 
received the salvation of Christ, are commanded to 
work out our own salvation; that is, in the sense in 
which we may be understood to work it out, with fear 
and trembling. We are to work out our own salva- 
tion because no other man can, and God will not do 
our part of the work. However, he worketh in us 
both to will and to do of his good pleasure (see Phil, 
ii. 12, 13). But, after all, we must remember that 
after we have done all we can, and all we are com- 
manded ,to do, we deserve little, if any, praise ; for 
"we are unprofitable servants : we have done that 
which was our duty to do" (Luke xvii. 10). 

Boast, therefore, no longer that you can be saved 
by merely obeying the commandments. You have 
not yet obeyed even the first one, which is the greatest 
of all, and which is the root of all the others. I have 
already referred you to it : "Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thine heart " It is plain that 

—2&- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



you have not that love of God in your heart, for your 
words and actions betray you. Nor can you truly 
love God unless you become savingly acquainted with 
him through Christ by the Holy Spirit. But suppose 
it were possible for you to obey all the command- 
ments, and live a strictly moral life from henceforth, 
still there would be against you the evils which you 
have done in days gone by. Therefore, get right 
with God, and do it now, for to-morrow it may be 
too late. 

Perhaps you consider yourself as good as some 
church members. Well, I suppose you are as good 
as those who are not what they profess to be. At 
least you are as good as such as are not any better 
than you. Not every church member is a Christian. 
But suppose you are as good as some one else who 
is not good enough to enter heaven, what can that 
profit you ? I can plainly see how the devil can glory 
in such an irrational course as you propose to take; 
but I cannot see how you get any encouragement to 
go to perdition because some one else is traveling in 
that direction. Remember, if you fail in life, you fail 
for eternity. "In the place where the tree falleth, 
there it shall be" (Eccl. xi. 3). You will never be on 
probation again. Evil doers are not wise because 
they measure themselves by themselves, and compare 
themselves among themselves (see II. Cor. x. 12). 

Have you tried to persuade yourself, and perhaps 
even said that you have plenty of time to give your 
heart to God in the future? What if God would say 
unto you, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be re- 
quired of thee?" Your purpose in entertaining such 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



notions is to repel the influence of the Holy Spirit. 
You say such things to confound the arguments of 
those who would reason with you concerning the 
salvation of your soul. It is unbecoming and offen- 
sive for a dependent creature to act so independently 
toward his Creator. And if God would now remove 
from you the light of the Spirit, your day of salva- 
tion would at once be ended. And who can assure 
you that such a calamity will not befall you, if, when 
God says, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" 
you say, "To-morrow will do just as well?" Sinner, 
remember, the Lord has said, "My Spirit shall not 
always strive with man" (Gen. vi. 3). 

Many who thought, or said, that there was plenty 
of time yet to be saved have deceived themselves. 
Some were called off very suddenly. Others grad- 
ually and unconsciously passed into such a state of 
darkness and indifference that they did not perceive 
their awful condition until the harvest was past and 
the Summer ended. If you were now to communi- 
cate with those unhappy souls, how much informa- 
tion they could give you. What warnings they would 
be likely to give you lest you also come into that place 
of torment. 

Some have even dared to say, "I'll fare just as well 
as others. If they can stand it in hell, I can, too." 
Dreadful and unreasonable words! They would not 
think of speaking so unreasonably concerning any 
other serious matter. Suppose some one should be 
caught by the wheels of some powerful machinery 
and be mangled and ground to pieces while they be- 
held the terrible sight, would any one of tfiem be 

—28— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



willing that the same thing should befall him there 
and then? Or if he knew before hand that such an 
event would befall him within the next twenty-four 
hours, could he console himself with the thought that 
he will fare no worse than the one whom he looks 
upon ? Yet even in such an instance it would be only 
the body that would suffer ; but to suffer in hell is to 
suffer both in soul and body without any easing up. 
Unless such notorious sinners turn while there is 
yet mercy they will undoubtedly fare the same as others 
who are lost. And the question will not be asked 
them, "Can you bear your punishment?" They will 
have to bear it. Let them go on yet a little while until 
the Lord opens his armory and brings forth the 
weapons of his indignation, and, unless they are 
more powerful than the Almighty, they will be made 
to cry, "O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it 
be ere thou be quiet?" The most stubborn, stiff- 
necked and hardhearted sinner will then easily be 
subdued and forced to drink the cup of his fierce, but 
just and holy, wrath which was long in filling. The 
Lord gave them a fair chance. He said, "Look unto 
me and be ye saved;" but they said, "No." "There- 
fore he that made them will not have mercy on them, 
and he that formed them will shew them no favor" 
(Isa. xxvii. n). 

I know you say that others do not live right, and 
you find fault with most anything you can think of; 
but I wonder if it is not sinful pleasure, politics, or the 
love and wrong use of money that are hindering you. 
But what is a little sinful pleasure when compared 
with a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of 



—29— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



glory ?" If you love good government, why not seek 
a country whose law is perfect, and whose King lives 
forever? Or if you desire an honorable position, why 
not humble yourself under the mighty hand of God 
that he may exalt you in due time? "For whosoever 
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth 
himself shall be exalted ,, (Luke xiv. n). Why not 
quit serving your money, and make it serve you, that 
you may "have in heaven a better and an enduring 
substance ?" Therefore, "If thy right eye [darling 
idol — Clarke] offend thee, pluck it out;" or, "If thy 
right hand [profitable employment — Clarke] offend 
thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee : for it is profit- 
able for thee that one of thy members should perish, 
and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" 
(Matt. v. 29, 30). 

Do you say you do not feel like becoming a Chris- 
tian? If that is true, then you must act on principle, 
or be lost. I cannot find anywhere in the word of 
God that a man is required to feel before he acts; 
some have wonderful feelings; others have not. If 
a man has a will to become a Christian, that is all he 
needs. "Whosoever will, let him take the waters of 
life freely" (Rev. xxii. 17). That power to will every 
man has, if he will only make use of it. After you 
have willed to become a Christian, give your stony 
heart to God, and he will give you a heart of flesh 
(see Ezek. xxxvi. 26), and you will then feel and en- 
joy beyond measure the blessings of salvation. How- 
ever, it seems strange that you would rather serve an 
enemy who seeks your ruin than to serve God who 
gives you every good thing that you enjoy. Is the 

—30— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



world sweeter than Christ? The better you know 
the world the less you enjoy it; but the better you 
know Christ the more you love him. 

What makes you feel so independent is because you 
have your earthly store-house well filled with provis- 
ions for your body. Some of them are necessaries of 
life, and some are luxuries. Some have been given 
or loaned to you, and others you have stolen; that is, 
God has entrusted many things to your care, such as 
time, talents, a home, food and raiment. These things 
you should have used to his glory; but you wasted 
your time and hid your talents in the earth. You en- 
joyed your home when you should have been in 
prayer-meeting. You have not given to God the glory 
and praise due unto his name. Thus you have robbed 
him of that which belongs to him. 

Now, let me tell you plainly why you ought to be a 
Christian. But before I proceed, promise me your 
faithful attention and consideration, for God may 
take your present decision as final. Let me reason 
with you in this way: You need salvation now, be- 
cause if you will not belong to the people of God 
on earth you cannot dwell with them in glory. In 
this life we have joy and sorrow mixed; but in the 
continued life we will either have all joy and no sor- 
row, or all sorrow and no joy. And remember, eter- 
nity is long. Comparing a sinner's joys with a Chris- 
tian's joys, we see that the sinner's joys are abating; 
that is, they are becoming less and less (see Eccl. xii. 
1-7) ; while the Christian's joys are in a constant state 
of development. "The path of the just is as the 

—31— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



shining light, that shineth more and more unto the 
perfect day" (Pro. iv. 18). 

If there is an old-fashioned revival going on at this 
time in your community, go there. I know you can 
be converted at home; but so often it does not come 
to pass, and you might as well go now as after you 
are converted, for that would be one of your first and 
most important duties as a Christian. I will not say 
that you must go to an altar, or mourners' bench, un- 
less you cannot conquer your pride in any other way ; 
but I do say that you cannot find a better place than 
that. Beside, not one well-founded objection can be 
raised against the mourners' bench, while many argu- 
ments can be produced in its favor. However, if 
there is no old-fashioned revival going on within your 
reach, give your heart to God at home, in the woods, 
or anywhere. Do not wait until another revival. 
"Now is the day of salvation," to-morrow it may be 
too late. Don't think or say, "Some other time, but 
not now." That is the devil's advice. It will be just 
as hard for you to take this step later on as now, and 
perhaps harder. If you do not repent of your sins 
now while there is mercy, you will repent of them 
when it is too late. Then why not do it now? 

If you are far advanced in years you will, no doubt, 
find many things against you that once were not, and 
nothing but a determined effort will loose you from 
the power of sin. But do not despair of salvation. 
There is yet hope. Turn to the right and go straight 
ahead, and you will soon stand within the gates of 
Jerusalem. 

—32— ' 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



If you are young, there are at least nine reasons 
why you should now give your heart to God : 

1. You can do it easier now than later in life. 

2. You will be happier. 

3. You are leading some soul astray whom you 
may not be able to recall. 

4. You have a sound mind and understanding. 

5. You will have more time to do good. 

6. You can form new and good habits now. 

7. You may die in your youth. 

8. God commands you to do so. 

9. If you wait until you are old you will hardly 
be saved at all. 

Do you fear that you would not be able to hold out? 
Satan would have you think so ; but if you will but take 
a little advice from older Christians, and learn from 
the mistakes of others, you will have little difficulty. 
Remember, after you are converted you will look at 
things quite differently from what you do now, and 
you will have the Lord by your side to encourage you, 
saying, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (II. Cor. 
xii. 9). 

Is there some one in the family that would oppose 
you in taking this step? I trust not. However, if 
such should be the case, proceed with even a more 
firm determination than you would otherwise. Better 
have the displeasure of man and the favor of God, 
than the favor of man and the displeasure of God. 
Better be turned out of a home than to be shut out of 
heaven. I like the little girl who had courage enough 
to be a Christian when her angry father turned her 
away from home for it. She went away singing ; and 

—33— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



not at all surprising, her father called her back, and 
that house became a house of prayer. 

Friend, if you knew the beauties of holiness and the 
love of Christ, you would be done with sin forever. 
Jesus says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. xi. 28). 
Then when you lie down upon your bed at night you 
can have that sweet consciousness that you are a 
child of God, and that all is well with your soul. 
Your sleep will be sweet, and when you awake in the 
morning you will feel as though you had been in the 
society of angels. And by keeping close to Jesus you 
will "make life, death and the vast forever one grand, 
sweet song." Oh, will you come? Take now the 
most noble step that any man can take. Jesus is wait- 
ing; what will you do? If the step seems hard, make 
it quick. It is only the first step that is hard. The 
way is pleasant. 




—34— 



fr fr % * , fr >j, <$m$hH"M"M« * * * * * * » * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

f 

Fault>Finding I 

"They found fault" (Mark vii. 2). f 

MY object is to defend the reputation of the true 
Christian, and to point out the exceeding 
foolishness of fault-finding; not by false 
arguments, but by facts both reasonable and scrip- 
tural. 

We find that the Pharisees found fault with the dis- 
ciples for eating with unwashen hands. In other 
words, we may say, the unbelievers found fault with 
the believers. 

The fault-finders to whom I refer were not right 
with God ; but they thought none were right but them- 
selves. They did not care to follow Christ them- 
selves, yet they were constantly picking at those who 
did follow him. They rejected the only ground and 
hope of their salvation, and considered themselves 
good enough as they were. They flattered themselves 
with a lively hope of heaven, when in fact they had 
none at all. Christ says, "Except your righteousness 
shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Phari- 
sees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of 
heaven" (Matt. v. 20). They seemed to think that 
if any people would be saved they would, on the 
ground that they were liberal in giving and strict ob- 
servers of the law ; but as it was prophesied concern- 

—35— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



ing them, so it was: "Many that are first shall be 
last, and the last first." Listen to that little prayer of 
Jesus : "I thank, thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
earth, because thou hast hid these things from the 
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 
Even so, Father ; for so it seemed good in thy sight" 
(Matt. xi. 25, 26). 

The disciples whom Jesus had chosen because they 
had chosen him were treated as living targets, or 
marks to be shot at, by their fault-finding enemies. 
They were counted a peculiar people. And indeed 
so they were in the eyes of the spiritually blind. "Dis- 
allowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and pre- 
cious." They left house and home for the love of 
Jesus. Yea, they daily took up their cross and fol- 
lowed him; while their critical and hypocritical ene- 
mies bound heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and 
laid them on men's shoulders, but they themselves 
would not move them with one of their fingers (see 
Matt, xxiii. 4). 

These fault-finders looked on the surface of religion, 
while their superiors looked into the deep things of 
God. Their religion consisted in ceremony and sanc- 
timony; while those whom they condemned wor- 
shiped God in spirit and in truth. 

Fault-finding is sin, because it is the work of sin- 
ners. Ninety-nine persons will find fault with others 
because they wish to be excused from doing right 
themselves; while one will tell another his faults be- 
cause he loves him and seeks his good. 

Fault-finding is dangerous, because it is sinful. It 
is working for the devil, and, of course, the devil will 



-36- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



be the paymaster. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 
vi. 23). 

Fault-finding is ignorance, because it is like be- 
holding a mote in another's eye when there is at the 
same time "a beam in thine own eye." It is confess- 
ing an evil, but never seeking a remedy. It is the 
height of ignorance, because such act as if they would 
sooner spend eternity in hell with hypocrites than to 
meet a few in the house of God occasionally. These 
fault-finders are foolish, because they compare a whole 
body of Christians with a few of the worst characters 
they can find among them ; they look for faults only, 
and shut their eyes . to all good, until they believe 
their own lies and forfeit their salvation. 

Fault-finding is undesirable, because it is the work 
of the ignorant. It is like standing in one's own light. 
It is undesirable because no good man is engaged in 
such a low business. 

These critics never tell us anything new. They do 
the world no good, nor do they improve their own 
happiness by their criticism. They seldom do the 
church any harm; but it is a sad fact that many of 
these unwise persons will continue condemning others 
and neglecting themselves until it may be said of them, 
"They died as they lived." Until they be cast into 
hell, "where their worm dieth not and the fire is not 
quenched" (Mark ix. 46). Reader, whoever you are, 
"Judge not [that is, condemn not rashly and unreas- 
onably], that ye be not judged. For with what judg- 
ment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what 
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" 
(Matt. vii. 1). 

—37— 
S C & E— 3 



*fi 



i i fr »| i * x* > fr > fr > fr,>j°fr 

Result of Disobedience 

''What shall the end be of them that obey not 
the gospel of God" (I Peter iv. 17)? 

* * * * * * » * W * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * $ 

THE gospel of God is a wonderful revelation of 
the grace of God to fallen men, which, if be- 
lieved and accepted, leads to supreme delight 
and fulness of joy in more than Eden's early glory; 
but if it be neglected until beyond probation it will 
leave a man in such a hopeless and increasing uneasi- 
ness that he would not neglect it again. It is some- 
times called the "gospel of Christ," the "gospel of 
salvation/' or "the word of truth." It is "the power 
of God unto salvation" (Rom. i. 16). 

It was foretold by the prophets of ancient days. 
It began by the incarnation of the Prince of Peace, 
and was continued by his public ministry. It was 
promulgated by the evangelists and Apostles, who 
were inspired by the Holy Ghost ; whose office largely 
was to teach them all things and bring all things to 
their remembrance whatsoever Christ had said unto 
them, and to reveal the deep things of God which 
they never knew before, nor could have known other- 
wise. 

There will be an end; not an annihilation of the 
soul, but a terrible result of disobedience. What a 
relief it would be to a damned soul if it could be an- 
nihilated, that is, cease to exist ; or, in other words, be 

—39— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



so completely destroyed that it would no longer be a 
soul. But, alas for such unhappy souls, such is not 
the case, for "their worm dieth not and the fire is not 
quenched" (Mark ix. 46). 

"But what shall the end be of them that obey not 
the gospel of God?" What shall be the final result 
of disobedience and impenitence? 

He who hardens his heart and stiffens his neck but 
once too often must himself atone for his sin, because 
he would not accept the atonement of Christ. He 
must die always, because he turned his back upon him 
who died in his stead. He must take his portion with 
thieves, murderers and hateful beings because he re- 
fused deliverance. He must make his bed in hell be- 
cause it was too much trouble for him to go to heaveji. 
He must be in awful misery because he wakes in sur- 
prise to discover that his life has been worse than a 
failure, and to see so much difference after all between 
him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. 
He will be more provoked at himself than at God, or 
the devil ; for God did not want him to go to hell, 
and the devil could not have compelled him. Life 
and death were before him and he chose to die; or 
rather, he chose that which he knew would lead to 
death. Probation has at last ended and judgment has 
taken the place of mercy, and so different is his con- 
dition now from what it once was that he who pro- 
vided a salvation and did all he could to persuade him 
to accept it will now mock him in his trouble and laugh 
at his calamities (see Prov. i. 26). Such, my reader, 
will be the end of them that obey not the gospel of 
God. While they who have gotten the victory over 

—40— 






AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



the beast and his image will stand, as it were, upon a 
sea of glass mingled with fire, having harps in their 
hands and singing the song of Moses, and the song of 
the Lamb, declaring that in all things God is just 
(see Rev. xv. 2, 3). 




—41— 



t 






•WW V V 

t 

The Unpardonable Sin | 

* 

GENERALLY GALLED THE | 

Sin Against the Holy Ghost I 

"All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be for- £ 
given unto men: but the blasphemy against 
the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven 
unto men" (Matt. xii. 31). 

"Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever 

will let him take the water of life . ^ 

freely" (Rev. xxii. 17). J 

THERE were wicked men living in the time of 
Christ who were guilty of this awful sin. I 
doubt whether the world is any better now than 
it was then; consequently I fear that there are some 
sinners living in this age of the world who are guilty 
of this culminating evil. 

Few will preach this fearful possibility, nor do sin- 
ners like to hear it when preached. The reason why 
it is so seldom preached, I think, is because ministers 
fear that they cannot do the subject justice; or they 
may fear that some poor, weak souls, through misap- 
prehensions, will declare themselves guilty of this sin 
when they are not. 

I myself am both unwilling and unable — unwilling 
because unable — to give a decided explanation as to 
how it may be committed. Nor do I consider it nec- 

—43— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



essary. If my reader desires to know something of 
the nature of this sin, the malicious disposition of 
them to whom the words relating to this subject were 
first spoken, and who doubtless were guilty of this 
great sin ; or if my reader desires to know the related 
circumstances which caused Christ to proclaim such 
an unwelcome truth, let him read Matt. xii. 22-37; 
Mark iii. 22-30, and Luke xii. 10. Read also Heb. 
vi. 4-7, and x. 25-29. 

There are several reasons why I do not consider a 
further explanation necessary, viz. : 

1. If sinners knew exactly what the unpardonable 
sin is they would fearlessly commit every other sin 
but that, just as they would put off their return to 
God until the eleventh hour of their lives if they knew 
the exact time of their death. I consider it sufficient 
to know that there is such a possibility, and such 
knowledge should be sufficient warning. 

2. To one guilty of this sin an explanation would 
be of no use, for, "It shall not be forgiven him, neither 
in this world, neither in the world to come;" i. e., as 
Clarke understands it, neither in the Jewish dispensa- 
tion, which was; nor in the Christian dispensation, 
which was to come, and under which we now live. 

3. A man who is not concerned about the salva- 
tion of his soul does not want an explanation of this 
subject; and a man who is weary and heavy-laden be- 
cause of his sins does not need an explanation, be- 
cause he has something that is far better. "For godly 
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be re- 
pented of" (II. Cor. vii. 10). It is God in his good- 
ness that leads men to repentance (Rom. ii. 4), and 

—44— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



will he begin a work in the souls of men and not finish 
it? No, he is "the author and finisher of our faith" 
(Heb. xii. 2). The fact is, a sinner cannot desire to 
be saved without the influence of God, and if he de- 
desires to be saved it is a sure proof that he is not 
without that blessed influence. It is folly to ques- 
tion the grace and mercy of God when it is so plainly 
manifested. 

Even the best commentators differ in their opinions 
and explanations of this subject, thus making the ques- 
tion still more confusing to them who seek consolation 
thereby. Some commentators think that there is no 
one living now who is guilty of this sin. Others think 
that it is committed quite frequently. But be it sel- 
dom or frequently committed, one thing is sure: not 
one of them will ever turn to God. Not only because 
God will not receive them, but because they will not 
be received. 

I believe that this hopeless condition manifests itself 
in such a complete deadness to the fear of God and the 
love of good that there is no possibility of awakening. 
It does not necessarily follow that a man is guilty of 
this great sin because he seems to be past awakening ; 
but it must follow that if a man is guilty of this sin 
he cannot be awakened to a "godly sorrow," for 
"whoso confesseth and forsaketh them [his sins] 
shall have mercy" (Prov. xxviii. 13). It is true that 
"whosoever will 33 may come (Rev. xxii. 17) ; but the 
fact concerning such reprobates is, they will not. 

Reader, shall your eternal destiny be heaven or 
despair? Remember, it depends entirely on whether 
you "will" or whether you "will not." 

—45— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



To become alarmed with fear of guilt is no evidence 
of guilt; but I consider it a good evidence that such 
are not guilty. I do not say that God causes, or 
designs, such mistaken impressions; but it is one of- 
fice of the Holy Spirit to "reprove [or convince] the 
world of sin" (John xvi. 8) ; or, in other words, we 
may say, the Spirit shows the sinner the exceeding 
sinfulness of sin. And is it not both natural and com- 
mon for a sinner to tremble because of fear when he 
begins to see himself as God sees him? Before a 
sinner is convinced of the heinousness of sin one can 
hardly persuade him that he needs the Savior, and 
after he is convinced of his sin one can hardly per- 
suade him that Christ is both willing and able to save 
him. 

If you have a desire to become a Christian, and if 
your desire is as one who hungers and thirsts, it is 
an unmistakable evidence of God's grace toward you 
whether you think so or not, for, "Blessed are they 
who do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they 
shall be filled" (Matt. v. 6). 

If you are a poor, penitent soul Satan may try to 
make you believe that your case is hopeless. He has 
tried it with thousands ; but see God has given you a 
"will" to come to Christ, and moreover a "hunger and 
thirst." Yea, in the midst of your doubts you are 
encouraged to believe. These are surely heaven's 
gifts, for "every good gift and every perfect gift is 
from above, and cometh down from the Father of 
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow 
of turning" (James i. 17). Does God give these 
gifts to devils, the damned, or any that are past hope ? 



-46- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



It is indeed a fatal thing to blaspheme against the 
Holy Ghost; but how much less will be the final fate 
of them who continue in sin until their hearts become 
stony and their consciences seared, so that their hearts 
and consciences which should have been instruments 
in their salvation become instruments to their damna- 
tion? 



* 



-47— 



* * * * ft * * * ft * * $ * * * $ * * * * * $ $ , $ $ ft * ,h « * * * * * * * * * * * 

I 

| Counsel and Encouragement 

for Penitents 

t 

^ "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 
J* after righteousness: for they shall be 

$ filled" (Matt. v. 6). 

$ 'Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith 

* the Lord of hosts" (Mai. iii. 7). 

t 

PENITENT seekers after salvation, I am glad 
you took this blessed step, and I believe you 
are glad. All honor and praise to the Holy 
Spirit! To this end was the mission of the Son of 
God. To this end was the gospel preached. I never 
saw a more impressive scene than the returning of a 
prodigal son or daughter. No wonder "there is joy 
in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner 
that repenteth" (Luke xv. 10). Once you were on 
the way to ruin and misery ; now you are on the way 
to heaven and eternal glory. If you would have con- 
tinued in the former way you would have met with 
destruction, but if you pursue your present course you 
are sure to find salvation. Seek diligently. It does 
not take long for an anxious sinner to find an anxious 
Savior. 

I never heard or read that Christ ever turned a sin- 
ner away. Did you? I know he never will turn any 
one away because I have his unfailing word for it. 
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" 

—49— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



(John vi. 37). Truly "the Lord is good unto them 
that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him" (Lam. 
in. 25). 

It is true that some have professed to seek Christ, 
and said they could not find him ; but they sought him 
in such a half-hearted way that I doubt whether they 
were actuated by any holy purpose at all. They 
would not have appreciated salvation if they would 
have received it. They were not as much in earnest 
as they professed to be, else they would not have given 
up. They went back on God. God will never go 
back on any man. A sincere penitent would rather 
seek the Lord all his life than turn back; and he will 
not turn back. Penitents, be in earnest. If you seek 
him with your whole heart he will be found of you 
(see Jer. xxix. 13). 

There are others who have sought the Lord for 
a long time before they found him, but because they 
were sincere they found him at last. And I never 
heard one of them complain of the time it took him, 
nor the effort he put forth to find the Savior. No; 
it was enough for them that they were saved at last. 

Do you ask me the reason why some receive the 
blessing of salvation so much sooner than others? 
I will answer you by considering a few other ques- 
tions. 

1. Is God a respecter of persons? No. "There 
is no respect of persons with God" (Rom. ii. 11). 

2. But is it not a fact that a man who has been 
very wicked often finds salvation before a man who 
has always been moral? Yes, and that is one proof 
of the fact that God is no respecter of persons. If 

—50— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



he were a respecter of persons it is likely that he 
would respect the moral man. 

3. How, then, shall we account for this fact? It 
is all very plain. You know that a sinner in order 
to be saved must be deeply conscious of his sin. This 
a wicked man naturally is when once wrought upon 
by the Holy Spirit. And you % know that a man in 
order to be saved must give up the notion that he has 
ever done anything that ought to commend him to 
God. This a moral man is slow to do, because in his 
opinion he never was very far from the kingdom of 
God. Furthermore, when a wicked man repents, if 
he has anything to make right with his neighbor he 
goes and does it at once, for he feels he can bear his 
burden of sin no longer. He approaches Christ as the 
vilest of the vile. He is a sick man, and Christ, will- 
ing to show his skill as the physician of souls, quickly 
applies the remedy. To give a short answer to the 
question I would say: A wicked man is usually the 
first to meet the requirements, and he is therefore the 
first to receive the blessing. 

4. But are there no other reasons why some are so 
long in seeking salvation ? Yes, there are many other 
reasons, and perhaps some of them are better known 
and understood by you than pointed out and explained 
by me. I believe that the most common hindrance is 
unbelief, or mistrust. Some penitents expect to see 
visions, or dream dreams, as an evidence of their con- 
version. Others think they must have an experience 
exactly like some one else, and as long as certain 
outward manifestations do not agree with their foolish 
notions they think they are not saved. But know 

—51— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



thou, poor, penitent soul, the evidence of conversion 
is to be felt in the heart after you have believed, and 
not seen with the eyes before you believe. Outward 
manifestations at conversion are very different. Some 
shout, some laugh and others weep for joy; but let 
those things take care of themselves, and be content 
only to know that you are born again. 

Christ says, "Whosoever will, let him take the water 
of life freely." O thirsty souls, take the water and be 
satisfied. O prodigal child, your Father has long been 
looking for you. There is no doubt about your ac- 
ceptance. 

I do not care how wicked you have been, you shall 
be saved; for where sin abounded, there grace does 
much more abound (see Rom. v. 20). You need not 
pray for days and weeks before you can be saved. 
"Behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the 
day of salvation" (II. Cor. vi. 2). Is it dark about 
you? What can that hinder you? It is only the 
darkness which precedes the dawn. Just before the 
plan of salvation was finished by Christ on the cross 
it became dark over all the land for three hours. 

"Come, ye disconsolate, where'er ye languish, 
Come to the mercy-seat, fervently kneel ; 

Here bring your wounded heart, here tell your 
anguish ; 
Earth has no sorrow that heav'n can not heal. 

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, 
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure, 

Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, 

"Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not cure." 

—52— 



Christ and Peter on the Sea $ 



* 



of Galilee 



'And when Peter was come down out of the ship, * 

he walked on the water, to. go to Jesus. But 4- 

when he saw the wind boisterous, he % 

was afraid; and beginning to sink — " j£ 

(Matt. xiv. 29, 30). % 

AFTER feeding the five thousand men, beside 
women and children, with five loaves and 
two fishes, on the eastern coast of the Sea of 
Galilee, Jesus sent his disciples to the other side, in- 
tending soon after to follow. The disciples must 
have shown some reluctance to go before Jesus unto 
the other side of the sea else it would not have fol- 
lowed that he constrained them. 

Perhaps they were anxious to know what Jesus was 
about to do that he so urgently insisted that they 
should go ahead. But later developments showed that 
it was well that they were constrained to go, although 
they would have rather tarried. We do not always 
know what is best for us ; therefore we should cheer- 
fully obey him who does know. He not only knows 
what is good for us, but he desires us to enjoy that 
good, which he is both willing and able to give in 
answer to the effectual, fervent prayers of the right- 
eous. 

After Christ had sent the disciples one way and the 
multitude another, he betook himself to some quiet, 

—53— 
S C & B— 4 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



solitary place in a mountain where he could secretly 
commune with his heavenly Father. So often in our 
Christian life it becomes necessary to dismiss the mul- 
titude of earthly cares and embarrassments, and retire 
to some secluded place, and there in reverent posture, 
with uplifted eyes toward heaven, commune with God. 

It was night, and while Jesus was in the mountain 
engaged in prayer the disciples were in the midst of 
the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was con- 
trary ; and it was not until nearly morning that Jesus 
came unto them, walking on the water. 

The disciples saw him come, but did not know him. 
They were alarmed with fear because of misappre- 
hensions. 

"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, 
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter 
answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me 
come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. 
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he 
walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he 
saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid ; and beginning 
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." 

As long as Peter kept his eyes fixed upon Jesus he 
could walk upon the water ; but when he looked upon 
surrounding circumstances he began to sink. So in 
our Christian experience, the only way to keep on top 
is to look to Jesus regardless of the raging storms of 
trial and temptation around us and the billows of sor- 
row and bereavement which roll beneath our feet. 
Thousands, like Peter, have gone down when there 
was no other cause but a lack of faith. 

When Peter saw his helpless condition he again 

—54— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



fixed his eyes upon Jesus and cried, saying, "Lord, 
save me" It was a short prayer, but it was urgent 
and sincere. "And immediately Jesus stretched forth 
his hand and caught him." What a wonderful Savior 
we have! When we trust him he upholds us by his 
power, and if we sink or fall he helps us in his 
mercy. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the 
Lord : and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, 
he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord up- 
holdeth him with his hand" (Ps. xxvii. 23, 24). 

When they were come into the ship the. wind ceased. 
Why should it longer continue? Peter's faith was 
tested; Christ's divinity was proved, and God was 
glorified. 

I believe that this storm was providential, or rather 
that Providence directed the disciples into the storm ; 
and it doubtless was to this purpose that Christ sent 
them on ahead the evening before. I believe that 
some of the storms in our spiritual experience are 
providential. Such storms, of course, are designed 
for our good, and when we have learned the intended 
lessons, God rebukes the wind, and the storms cease, 
and we will have occasion to say. "Have the gales of 
grace blown me into such a harbor" (Baxter) ? 

"God moves in a mysterious way, 

His wonders to perform, 
He plants his footsteps in the sea, 

And rides upon the storm. 

Blind unbelief is sure to err 

And scan his work in vain; 
God is his own interpreter, 

And he will make it plain." 

—55— 



I I 

$ rhe Truth of John iiL 16. # J 

♦| "For God so loved the world, that he gave his * 

only begotten Son, that whosoever be- % 

^ lieveth in him should not perish, but |* 

have eternal life" (John iii. 16). * 

L tututnfntnt.rfntnt A ,1 nf c ,f nfnf nf nf c,f c ,f nt.rf ♦■^ < WhWh^A^J 

THIS is a wonderful text. It is the central truth 
of the economy of grace. "Of which salvation 
the prophets have inquired and searched dili- 
gently, who prophesied of the grace -that should come 

unto you Unto whom it was revealed, that not 

unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the 
things which are now^reported unto you by them that 
have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy 
Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the 
angels desire to look into" (I. Peter i. 10-12). 

Sinner, when once you truly believe in Jesus and 
receive the "peace of God, which passeth all under- 
standing" and "the love of Christ which passeth 
knowledge," it will be the wonder of your life that 
"God so loved the world." God was willing to give 
his dear Son, and his Son was willing to be given. 
For the sake of unprofitable sinners Christ endured 
the hardships of a homeless life, the overwhelming sor- 
rows of Gethsemane and the untold agonies of Cal- 
vary, all of which he foreknew before he came. 

I like this text because it has brought joy and com- 
fort to many contrite hearts and penitent sinners. I 

—57— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



like it because it never fails to reconcile God and the 
sinner when it is given a fair and honest trial. I like 
it because it is so plain and simple that even a child 
can* understand it and meet its requirements. For 
''whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but 
have eternal life." 

I might lengthen and enlarge this subject until it 
becomes a volume in itself, but I do not consider it 
necessary. But there are three great truths in this 
text which should be clearly understood and forever 
remembered. 

i. God loves you. Some think that God loves sin- 
ners only in a general sense, as though his great love 
were divided into countless parts and a small portion 
given to each one of the many who live, and have 
lived, upon the earth, thus making each one's share of 
little weight or value. But let such know that they 
are fortunately mistaken. If God did not greatly love 
the individual he could not greatly love the world, 
for the world is composed of individuals. 

If a father could not take great pleasure in each of 
his children separately, he could not find much pleas- 
ure in the whole family. It did not require a whole 
world of fallen men to move the great heart of God 
to pity. His heart was moved by the fall of a few 
in Eden, far back in the ages. 

For an illustration and proof of this fact consider 
the parable of the lost sheep. "What man of you, 
having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth 
not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and 
go after that which is lost, until he find it? And 
when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, 



-58- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth to- 
gether his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, 
Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which 
was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be 
in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than 
over ninety and nine just persons, which need no re- 
pentance" (Luke xv. 4-8). 

2. Notice that great, comprehensive word, "who- 
soever." This word means, as some one has said, 
"you, me, or any one else." "Whosoever" admits of 
no exceptions. Whenever even a single exception is 
to be made to anything the word cannot properly be 
applied. God used the word "whosoever" because 
there are to be no exceptions. "This is a faithful say- 
ing, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus 
came into the world to save sinners" (I. Tim. i. 15). 

For illustration, suppose some fortunate physician 
has lately discovered some infallible cure for con- 
sumption, and desiring that the whole country should 
know of its merits, he advertises that at a given time 
he will give every applicant a sample bottle of this 
great remedy free. The time for this charitable dis- 
tribution arrives, and from morning until twilight the 
doctor hands out samples of his great discovery. 
Finally you step up to the doctor for your share of 
the offer, and he refuses to give it to you. What 
would you think of him ? Remember, he said, "every 
applicant," which means the same as "whosoever;" 
but now after fulfilling his promise to thousands he 
began to make exceptions. Does he not, though he 
fail but once, prove himself untruthful in the end? 

— 55H- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



Then if God will be truthful he dare not fail ; and be- 
cause he is truthful he will not fail. 

But, you say, "Does not the Bible speak of repro- 
bates and unpardonable sinners?" Yes, but observe, 
such will neither believe in Christ nor turn from their 
sins while they live; hence, they cannot be said to be 
included under the promise. Notice, the doctor of 
whom you just finished reading was under no obliga- 
tion by his promise to any who did not apply. Neither 
is God under any obligation by his promise to such as 
zvill not apply for salvation; and we have already 
learned that reprobates will not apply. God is very 
exact concerning his promises. He is careful not to 
make a promise that will not be fulfilled; but he is 
sure to fulfill every promise that he makes, or has 
made. Truly his promises are "yea" and "amen." 

3. Be sure that you understand the meaning of 
faith as it is implied in the words "believeth in him," 
otherwise you will surely deceive yourself. Some are 
so deceived in this matter that they think they believe 
in Christ in that they are certain that he lived, died 
and arose again, and that he was divine, just as they 
are certain that Washington and Franklin were two 
eminent statesmen. But know thou, my reader, that 
to know of Christ is not to believe in Christ, just as 
knowing of an eminent statesman is not necessarily 
believing in that statesman. 

Others are so perverted in their opinions that they 
think they can believe in Christ to the saving of their 
souls, and yet live and act as they please. 

Reader, I shall be honest with you in this import- 
ant matter, for your eternal destiny depends upon 

— 60 — 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



whether you are a true believer in Jesus Christ or not. 
I shall not ask you merely whether you believe that 
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was given for the 
salvation of sinners, though this is a part of the Chris- 
tian faith. Nearly everybody believes this, even the 
wicked ; and if such were all that there is of the faith 
referred to in the text it would not follow that "few 
there be that find it" (see Matt. vii. 14). 

To know whether you are a true believer in Jesus 
Christ I shall ask you whether you are willing to ac- 
cept him as your own personal Savior, not at death, 
but now. And do you believe that you must be bom 
again; that is, receive a new nature and disposition, 
so that you. may have good will even toward your 
enemies? Do you believe that you must forgive men 
their wrongs which they have committed against you 
before you can be forgiven of God for the wrongs that 
you have committed against him ; and, if need be, for- 
sake your chief joy for his sake, as well as take up 
your cross daily and follow him? 

All this he taught, and much besides, and you can- 
not receive him and reject his teaching, nor believe in 
him and doubt his word. You cannot please God and 
be disloyal and disobedient. Do not persuade your- 
self that you are a true believer simply because some- 
body said you are, or because you believe the Bible 
historically. 

Every honest man will give you a receipt when 
your debt is paid, even if another paid the debt for 
you. And you may be sure that God will give every 
true believer a receipt when he gives satisfaction and 
makes proper settlement. But you ask, "Did not 



—61— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



Christ pay the debt for me on Calvary ? And further- 
more, I could not pay the debt if I would try." Truth. 
That is just what I want you to acknowledge. Go, 
tell that to the Lord, accept his atonement and get 
your receipt; but until you get your receipt, beware. 
The receipt is the Spirit. "The Spirit itself beareth 
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of 
God" (Rom. viii. 16). 

I thank God for John iii. 16, for it meets the needs 
of every sincere penitent and seeker after salvation. 
But I testify before God and men, and I know whereof 
I speak, that this is a text "which they that are un- 
learned [inexcusably unlearned] and unstable wrest, 
as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own 
destruction" (II. Peter iii. 16). 




—62— 



The Human Side of Salvation \[ 

_ — _- — ______ __ — _ — — — — — — — — ____ — — — — — j ^ 

(TRUE FAITH) <J 

* "What must I do to be saved" (Acts xvi.30)? it 

♦♦* ■♦ t 

|* "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt j£ 
4" be saved" (Acts xviii.31). o 

THIS was the urgent question of a jail-keeper in 
Philippi. Whether the same question had been 
asked before we do not know, nor do we care ; 
but we do know that many have asked the same ques- 
tion, and similar ones, since the time of this Philip- 
pian jailer's remarkable experience. 

He was no doubt an obstinate sinner. It took a 
great deal to break him down, but when he did break 
down, he fell trembling before Paul and Silas, and in 
a short time he and all his family were thoroughly 
converted through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Three things I notice concerning this man: 
i. He came trembling. 

2. He soon found relief when he knew what to do. 

3. He was the head of a family, and when he was 
converted they all became converted. 

But, says some one, that was the experience of the 
Philippian jailer, but "what must I do to be saved?" 
I can see by the question you ask me, and the way you 
ask it, that you are yet in spiritual darkness, though 
not in obscure darkness, for you already feel the need 

-63- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



of salvation or you would not inquire of me what to 
do to be saved. Your question, if you are sincere, 
places you in the position of a penitent, and makes 
you a subject of angels' delight. 

But before we proceed farther with this matter, let 
me ask, To what end do you think you ought to do 
something? Do you think you ought to do some 
good work to commend you to God, or to atone for the 
evil you have done, as though you must merit salva- 
tion and persuade God to a willingness to save you? 
Or do you inquire how an unworthy sinner may come 
to God and receive salvation as a free gift? 

If you think you can, or must, do some good work 
to commend you to God; or if you think you can, or 
must, merit salvation and persuade God to a willing- 
ness to save you, you are so exceedingly in error that 
you might weep day and night until you die, and yet 
not receive the salvation which is by faith in the Son 
of God ; for without faith it is impossible to please 
him (see Heb. xi. 6). 

Christ finished the work of redemption upon the 
cross, so that you have now but to accept him as your 
Redeemer, and love, follow and obey him as it be- 
cometh a redeemed man. If you add any supplement 
whatever to the finished work of Christ you displease 
God. Think no longer to persuade God to a willing- 
ness to save you, but strive to persuade yourself to 
accept Christ as he is offered to you in the sacred 
Scriptures. All heaven was willing that you should 
be saved long before you were. Christ is as anxious 
to save you as you are anxious to be saved. 

If you inquire how an unworthy sinner may come 



-64- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



unto God in his unworthiness, and be justified and 
converted by the grace and power of God, so as to be 
made fit to stand in the congregation of the righteous 
and associate with angels; yea, and become a joint 
heir with Christ and stand in the immediate presence 
of God, I will tell you what to do, as I have learned 
it by a careful study of God's word. 

What you must yet do depends on what you have 
already done, and it also depends to some extent on 
what you know, and can know. But to tell you from 
beginning to end what is required of you, I will sup- 
pose that you know little and do nothing. 

1. You must know that you are a sinner, lost and 
undone unless saved by the grace of God. This 
knowledge comes through the study of the Bible and 
the preaching of the word. This is CONVICTION. 

2. You must not only know that you are a sinner, 
but you must confess it to God, and you ought to con- 
fess it in the presence of your fellow-men because you 
sinned in their presence. You must not only confess 
your sins before God and men, but you must also turn 
from all sin which you know and which you confess. 
You, of course, will be sorry that you have sinned, 
and you will look upon sin as a thing hateful and 
dangerous. In other words, you will fall out with 
sin and fall in with Christ. This is true REPENT- 
ANCE. 

3. You must forgive if you would be forgiven, for, 
"If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will 
your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. vi. 15). 
If you have cheated, or defrauded, any man you must 
be willing to restore it, if possible, and show both God 

-65- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



and the man whom you have wronged that you are 
willing (See Matt. v. 23, 24). If for some reason it 
is impossible to make such corrections — for the man 
whom you have wronged may be dead — explain the 
matter to the Lord, and he will take the will for the 
deed. And if there be any other matter resting upon 
your mind and troubling your conscience, learn the 
cause and seek to remove it, otherwise it will surely 
hinder your salvation by proving you disloyal to your 
own heart and conscience, and much more so toward 
God. "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater 
than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if 
our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence 
toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of 
him, because we keep his commandments, and do 
those things that are pleasing in his sight" (I. John 
iii. 20-22). If we do not seek to restore and rectify, 
we show ourselves utterly unworthy of receiving God's 
unmerited favor. But remember, to restore stolen 
goods, or to be reconciled to an offended brother, is 
not being forgiven of God for the offense. It is a 
duty of man to man. This is RESTITUTION. 

4. Because your will is contrary to the will of 
God you must resign it; that is, you dare no longer 
do as you please; but you must do what you believe 
God wants you to do. All sinful pleasure, and every- 
thing that would hinder you from pleasing him, you 
must give up in order that you may have treasure in 
heaven. This is SURRENDER and SUBMISSION. 
5. Now, since you have confessed your sins and 
turned from them, and since you have made restitu- 
tion and submitted yourself to the will of God, your 

-66— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



own heart and conscience bearing you witness that 
so far as you can learn you have met what God re- 
quires of you. And having now shown to God and 
man that you are sincere, you have a right to fully 
trust your case to the merits of Christ's blood and 
expect what you desire, and more besides. "Trust in 
the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine 
own understanding" '(Prov. iii.:5). This is TRUST. 

These five transactions: CONVICTION, RE- 
PENTANCE, RESTITUTION, SURRENDER and 
SUBMISSION and TRUST, are not regeneration, as 
some suppose; but they constitute and bring to per- 
fection living and saving faith, which cannot fail to 
bring salvation to every one who thus truly believes. 
In other words, it is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ 
with the whole heart, which is the one comprehensive 
essential unto salvation. 

When you have done all that I have mentioned, you 
have done all that any man can do. This is the human 
side of salvation; nay, I should say it is the divine 
work on the human side. God alone can do the rest, 
which will be a radical change, and the effects will be 
love, joy and peace, such as you have never known, 
for you will have a new heart; that is, a new nature, 
with new likes and dislikes. "Therefore, if any man 
be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are 
passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II. 
Cor. v.17). You will discover new beauties in every- 
thing; yea, it will seem like perpetual spring-time in 
your new-born soul. You will not be able to under- 
stand how such a beautiful change can be effected in 
so short a time; but as "the wind bloweth where it 

-67- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but can it 
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth : so is 
every one that is born of the Spirit" (John iii. 8). 




—68— 



Advice to Young Gonverts 

'Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man ^ 
take thy crown" (Rev. iii. 11). & 

HAPPY young converts to the Christian religion, 
"the Lord be with you all." "Rejoice ever- 
more." "Pray without ceasing." "Hold fast 
that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of 
evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; 
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body 
be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also 
will do it" (I. and II. Thessalonians). 

As a Christian pilgrim you are now on the way to 
heaven. Satan knows this and he will turn you back 
if he can. I cannot tell you in what way he will ap- 
proach you, "Wherefore take unto you the whole 
armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the 
evil day, * * * * Stand therefore, having your 
loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast- 
plate of righteousness ; and your feet shod with the 
preparation of the gospel of peace ; above all, taking 
the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to 
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the 
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which 
is the word of God: praying always with all prayer 
and supplication in the Spirit" (Eph. vi. 13-18). 
It is a common, but true, saying, that the crown of 

-69^- 

S C & E— 5 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



glory is not given at the beginning, neither in the mid- 
dle, but at the end of the Christian life. To make 
your calling and election sure there are some things 
that you must do, and there are other things that you 
dare not do. 

1. You must aim at the highest possible mark: 
perfection. Man is likely to fall at least a little short 
of his mark. If this be true, what will become of the 
man who aims at a low mark : imperfection ? 

2. You must take Christ for your example. He is 
the only one of whom it can be said, "This man hath 
done nothing amiss" (Luke xxiii. 41). It is mislead- 
ing and exceedingly dangerous to take any one but 
Christ for your example. 

3. You must take the inspired word of God for 
your guide, and not human creeds. 

4. You dare not be unequally yoked together with 
unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness 
with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light 
with darkness, or what part hath he that believeth with 
an infidel (see II Cor. vi. 14, 15)? If you associate 
with sinners and seek enjoyment with them you will 
partake of their nature and lose all good influence over 
them. "Wherefore come out from among them, and 
be ye separate, saith the Lord" (II Cor. vi. 17). It is 
true that Christ was much among sinners, but only to 
be their physician and not their companion. 

You are now in a position where you can do much 
good if you will be faithful, or where you will do much 
harm if you will not be faithful. I know you have no 
thought now of every turning back to the world; but 
now is the time for you to take advice before it is too 

—70- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



late. Before you were converted you were afraid you 
could not hold out, and now perhaps you are too con- 
fident. You cannot place too much confidence in God, 
but you can easily place too much confidence in your- 
self. " Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth 
take heed lest he fall" (I Cor. x. 12). 

It is wholly a wrong notion, common among young 
converts, that if they make mistakes, or in their weak- 
ness commit sin, they lose all favor with God, and must 
therefore leave off doing good, go back into the world, 
and become a backslider. A young convert does not 
commit wilful sins; that is, he does not have a will 
to sin. If any one has a will to sin, then I deny his 
conversion. However, if a Christian is not as watch- 
ful as he should be, he may be overtaken by the pres- 
sure of temptation, and before he is well aware, fall 
into some grievous sin and thereby lose the joys of 
salvation. Then what shall he do? Shall he, like 
Judas, give way to despair ; or shall he, like Peter, re- 
pent of the evil he has done? Remember, Judas is 
lost, and Peter is saved. 

There is no reason whatever that a man should do 
worse and worse even if he has done evil. It is as 
much of a mistake for a Christian to leave off doing 
good and go back into the world because he has com- 
mitted a sin as it is for him to commit a sin. Suppose 
a man, traveling on foot from New York to his home 
in Brooklyn, should stumble and fall while on his way, 
would he, in order to get home, go back again to New 
York? No. He would get up as soon as possible, 
brush his clothes and hasten on his way home to 
Brooklyn. So you, my dear Christian friends. If 

—71— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



you should stumble and fall while on your way to 
heaven, arise, cleanse your garments, and hasten on 
your way to heaven as though nothing had happened. 
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to for- 
give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness" (I. John i. 9). But let not a man receive 
these precious truths a$ an encouragement or a license 
to commit sin. They are not given us for any such pur- 
pose ; but that we may know that "if any man sin, we 
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the 
righteous" (I John ii. 1). 

Let us notice a few important facts concerning back- 
sliding, which may be of great value to you as a pre- 
caution, or as a means whereby you may be able to 
help some one else in the day of adversity. You are, 
no doubt, already familiar with what backsliding is, 
It may be defined as a sliding back from Christ to the 
world, or from the blessings of the gospel to the pol- 
lution of sin. It is to lose the love of God and the 
desire to be holy, pure and good, and giving place to 
the devil to fill the heart with great wickedness. 

There is, however, a vast difference between one 
who falls into sin through weakness and infirmity, and 
one who is a backslider in heart. The former hates sin 
and longs for the time when he shall be delivered from 
all evil; but the latter seems to love sin as he before 
loved righteousness. The former is troubled about 
his condition; but the latter does not care. Of the 
one God says, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly 
cast down" (Ps. xxxvii. 24). But of the other he says, 
he "shall be filled with his own ways" (Prov. xiv. 14). 

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and hndeth 
none. Then he saith, I will return into my house 
from whence I Came out; and when he is come, he 
findeth it empty, swept and garnished. Then goeth 
he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more 
wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there : 
and the last state of that man is worse than the first" 
(Matt. xii. 43-45). It is with such according to the 
true proverb: "The dog is turned to his own vomit 
again ; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing 
in the mire." "It had been better for them not to have 
known the way of righteousness, than after they have 
known it to turn from the holy commandments deliv- 
ered unto them." "For if after they have escaped the 
pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entan- 
gled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse 
with them than the beginning" (II Peter ii. 20-22). 

But what is the cause of all this backsliding? I 
will answer in the following manner: 

1. Discouragement. Usually all goes well with a 
.young convert until in some way he makes a misstep. 

Then Satan says to him, in his manner of speaking, 
"You have lost your religion, and you might as well 
give up." He partly believes it and is therefore much 
discouraged. Beloved, if ever you become discour- 
aged, consult some older Christian about your trouble 
and he will help you out. 

2. An insufficient knowledge of God's word. If 
you knew more of the word of God you could help 
yourself out of many troubles ; in fact you would not 

—73— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



get into so many of them. Therefore, young converts, 
study the Bible. 

3. Doing questionable things. Some people believe 
concerning certain things that they are sinful ; but be- 
cause they want to do them, and because they see 
others do them, they will try to persuade themselves 
against their own convictions that they are not sin- 
ful. Need I tell you that such things destroy the joys 
of salvation and lead to backsliding? Reader, under- 
stand, " Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 
xiv. 23). 

4. Neglecting ditty. You cannot neglect your duty 
and be happy ; but there is a blessing in store for you 
for every duty that you will perform in the name of 
Jesus. Christ endured the cross for the joy that was 
set before him, and if you will be faithful you shall be 
a joint heir with him. The cross is not greater than 
his grace; therefore, take up your cross and follow 
him. Remember, "To him that knoweth to do good, 
and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James iv.17). 

Do you have doubts and fears occasionally? They 
are common to all Christians, and they can be over- 
come by singing and praying and trusting in Jesus. 
Have you sore trials and temptations? It is only a 
sign that you are on the way to heaven. Sinners on 
the broad road do not have such trials and temptations. 
They travel with ease. Every temptation that you 
overcome makes you better and stronger. Christ was 
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Furthermore he assures us that he will not allow us to 

—74— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



be tempted above that we are able to bear; but will 
with the temptation also make a way to escape (See I. 
Cor. x. 13). 

Who or what then can separate us from the love 
of Christ? "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecu- 
tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? * 
* * * * Nay, in all these things we are more than 
conquerors through him that loved us. For I am per- 
suaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor 
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor 
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other 
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of 
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. viii. 
35-39). 

. "Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe on His gentle breast, 
There by His love o'edshadowed, 

Sweetly my soul shall rest. 
Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, 

Borne in a song to me, 
Over the fields of glory, 

Over the Jasper sea. 

Safe in the arms of Jesus, 

Safe from corroding care, 
Safe from the world's temptations, 

Sin cannot harm me there. 
Free from the blight of sorrow, 

Free from my doubts and fears; 
Only a few more trials, 
Only a few more tears ! 



-75— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, 

Jesus has died for me ; 
Firm on the Rock of Ages 

Ever my trust shall be. 
Here let me wait with patience, 

Wait till the night is o'er; 
Wait till I see the morning 

Break on the golden shore." 



* 



-76- 



* 



i Prayer 



* 

*£ "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man J J 
* availeth much" (James v. 16) 

An old treatise on theology in my possession has 
this beautiful definition of prayer: "Prayer is the 
offering of our desires to God for things agreeable to 
his will in the name of Christ, with confession of our 
sins, and a thoughtful acknowledgment of his mer- 
cies." But there is a little definition which I would 
like to give. It is so plain that even a child may un- 
derstand it; Prayer is talking with God. 

I find a great many Christians, especially young 
converts, who constantly complain that they cannot 
pray. I always have sympathy for such humble, gra- 
cious souls. I believe they mean to be honest and sin- 
cere in their complaint. They can pray, but they don't 
know it. Their gratitude to God for past favors and 
their hungering and thirsting after righteousness are 
so great that they can scarcely find words to express 
their feelings and desires. This is why they think 
they cannot pray. Such people, if they can cry, 
usually cry out their feelings of gratitude and desire ; 
and even though their words may be few, God puts 
their tears into his memorial vial and records them 
in his book. Oh, that many more would realize such 

—77— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



a profound consciousness of spiritual things which 
lie beyond the power of expression ! 

Another reason why some think they cannot pray 
is because they have wrong conceptions of prayer, 
which is evident by their frequent foolish expressions. 
They think rich, fluent and beautiful language is nec- 
essary to effectual prayer; but eloquent speech or 
fluent language is not necessary to please God. "For 
the Lord seeth not as man seeth : for man looketh on 
the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the 
heart" (I Sam. xvi. 7). 

Let us notice some example of plain, yet effectual, 
prayer. 

When Peter saw that he was sinking he was not at 
all concerned about eloquence of speech. Nor had 
he any forethought of what he was going to pray at 
that time, but according to his present needs cried 
out, "Lord, save me," and immediately Jesus stretched 
forth his hand and caught him (See Matt. xiv. 30, 31). 

When in the Temple at Jerusalem the poor, man- 
forsaken publican wanted God to have mercy upon 
him, he smote upon his breast and said, "God be mer- 
ciful to me a sinner." And before he left the Temple ; 
he was as free from sin as though he had never sinned ; 
while the proud, self-righteous Pharisee who prayed, 
as he thought, so eloquently, at the same time and 
place, went home a worse sinner than when he came 
(See Luke xviii. 10-14). 

When the poor, homesick prodigal wanted to be rec- 
onciled to his father and received back into "sweet 
home" he began to pray, "Father, I have sinned 
against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more 

-78- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



worthy to be called thy son," methinks at this humble 
confession his chin began to quiver, and before he 
could get quite through with what he had planned to 
say, father sent his servant for the best robe to put 
upon him, also a pair of shoes and a ring. And a 
joyful time it was, for their beloved boy was recon- 
ciled to his father and safely at home. Oh, what a 
picture of God and the sinner (See Luke xv. n-32) ! 

When the poor, penitent thief asked but to be re- 
membered, he received the sure promise of a home 
in Paradise (See Luke xxiii. 42, 43). 

When a certain woman had been afflicted by a 
chronic disease, "and had suffered many things of 
many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and 
was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse; when 
she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and 
touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch 
but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway 
the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt 
in her body that she was healed of that plague" (Mark 
v. 26-29). 

"Just one touch as he moves along, 
Pushed and pressed by the jostling throng, 
Just one touch, and the weak was strong, 
Cured by the healer divine." 

If prayer is talking with God, then surely anyone 
that can talk can pray. But for the benefit of any one 
who may feel weak in prayer, I will suggest the fol- 
lowing plan: 

Steal away to some quiet, secluded place where no 
one but God can see and hear you. It may be some 

—79— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



private room in the house. It may be in a field, or 
woods, or along a country roadside. Select the best 
time of day for this purpose; that is, the hour in 
which you can obtain the best results. Some find the 
morning hours the best for prayer; but as for me I 
prefer the impressive scenes of the evening, just 
as the shades of night begin to fall; and I am en- 
couraged to select and mention this time because 
"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even- 
tide" (Gen. xxiv. 63). 

When you have come to your selected place for 
prayer, turn your back toward the world and its cares 
and your eyes toward the "holy city, the new Jeru- 
salem." Perhaps you have some friends or relatives 
there. You may think of them, but do not worship 
them. Sing a verse or two of some favorite hymn, so 
that you may get your heart in proper condition for 
prayer. Then tell God what you desire and what you 
need, and ask him in the name of Jesus to grant your 
requests. But because it might not be well for you 
to have all you ask for, don't forget to add to your 
humble petition these words, "Nevertheless, not as I 
will, but as thou wilt." If you do not know what 
you need, then ask God to give you what he sees you 
need and what is good for you. If you cannot do this, 
then I believe you do not want to pray. If you have 
a will to pray you will find a way. 

Prayer must be the sentiments of the heart. The 
end in view must be right as well as the means em- 
ployed by which to reach it. We must not only pray 
because we have made it a rule or a practice, but we 
should be intensely interested in our prayers. Too 

—80— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



many of our prayers are, as Beecher says, like driving 
a wedge into a log. 

I do not mean that we should not pray until we 
feel like doing so. We should make it a rule, as 
Daniel did, to pray audibly three times a day, and 
then stick to that rule. I mean to say that if we are 
Christians indeed, even though it may require a little 
effort to direct our minds from our particular inter- 
ests and employments while busily engaged in the 
midst of them, yet we will not have prayed very long 
until it becomes a pleasure and a blessing, and we 
may truly say, 

"Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
That calls me from a world of care, 
And bids me at a Father's throne, 
Make all my wants and wishes known; 
In seasons of distress and grief, 
My soul has often found relief; 
And oft escaped the tempter's snare, 
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer. 

Sweet hour of prayer ! sweet hour of prayer ! 

Thy wings shall my petitions bear 

To him whose truth and faithfulness 

Engage the waiting soul to bless; 

And since he bids me seek his face, 

Believe his word and trust his grace, 

I'll cast on him my every care, 

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer." 

I believe that as a rule our prayers should consist 
of our own words. I say this in opposition to the 
practice of using prayer-books. Who but God knows 

— 81— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



my needs and desires as well as I do ? Therefore it is 
of him that we should learn to pray. 

I believe they do well who repeat the "Lord's 
prayer" verbatim ; that is, word for word, especially 
if they have studied it well so as to understand it 
thoroughly, thus making it in a sense their own sen- 
timents. Yea, I believe we should make more fre- 
quent use of this prayer than many of us do. Christ 
taught us these words, and if we use them aright we 
will never pray amiss. 

However, I do not believe that Christ intended to 
limit his disciples to these sixty-six words. I be- 
lieve it was more the manner and spirit embodied in 
these words than the words themselves that he meant 
to teach. 

That we may properly make use of this, or a more 
extended form of prayer, let us notice the following 
facts : 

God loves to have us pray as though we would 
remind him of the glorious affinity between him and 
us since God and sinner have become reconciled, and 
the tender relationship which began when we became 
the sons and daughters of God. He will have us ac- 
knowledge him as our Father and ourselves as his 
children: "Our Father, which art in heaven/' 

He would have us know that he is high and holy, 
wise and good, powerful and mighty. We should re- 
gard him with godly fear mingled with affection, and 
strive to honor and glorify him in all things: "Hal- 
lowed be thy name. 3 ' 

He would have us seek first the kingdom of God, 
and his righteousness. And pray for the joyful flour- 

—82— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



ishing of Christ's kingdom on earth, and longingly 
look forward to his second coming: "Thy kingdom 
come" 

In heaven the will of God is done always, gladly 
and perfectly, therefore all are infinitely happy. God 
would make earth the counterpart of heaven, but his 
will must first be done: "Thy will be done in earth 
as it is in heaven" 

. Bread is the staff of life, a necessary food. It is 
not luxuries or useless things that God would have 
us ask for, but bread, bread for the body and bread 
for the soul. We should acknowledge God as the 
giver of every good and perfect gift, and daily look to 
him for them; but, like the little birds, make use of 
the ordinary means which God has appointed whereby 
we may obtain them : "Give us this day our daily 
bread" 

Sin is here spoken of as debts. God has made it a 
condition that man must forgive to be forgiven. If 
any man who has an unforgiving spirit makes use 
of this prayer with hatred in his heart he condemns 
himself, for he asks God to do with him as he does 
with his fellow men : "And forgive us our debts, as 
we forgive our debtors/' 

God is sometimes said to do a thing when he only 
allows it. If we try to go forward in our own strength 
he may allow us to fall into some temptation whereby 
we may be overcome. But, if we confidently place our 
hand in his hand he will deliver us from the snares of 
the devil. This I believe is the true meaning of the 
words, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil." 

-83- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



The gospel plan of redemption by Christ ; the power 
by which it became effective and by which it must 
be maintained, and the honor and praise for this 
glorious system of mercy and truth, with the wonder- 
ful effects which it produces, belong to God, both in 
time and eternity, now and forever: "For thine is 
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever/' 

We should sanction our prayers by an established 
purpose and an unwavering faith, which may be ex- 
pressed by saying, "Amen." 

Our prayers should be humble and childlike. We 
should be deeply conscious of our unworthiness, as 
Jacob was when he confessed that he was not worthy 
of the least of God's mercies; or as Abraham, when 
he made intercession for Sodom, saying, "Behold now, 
I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which 
am but dust and ashes." The more we become like 
little children in this respect the better we will be qual- 
ified for the kingdom of heaven. The lower we get 
down the more sinners we will be able to reach. And 
by thus humbling ourselves in time we shall be ex- 
alted in eternity. A showy prayer of meaningless 
words and vain repetitions God will reject as con- 
temptible; but, "A broken and a contrite heart, O 
God, thou wilt not despise" (Ps. li. 17). 

Our prayers should be importuning and persevering. 
He who would find Christ, the bread of life, should 
be as persevering as a hungry beggar who goes from 
house to house and from door to door for his daily 
bread. A beggar may at times find it necessary to 
do a little manual labor in connection with the ordi- 
nary means of begging; not so much, perhaps, to 

—84— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



earn his bread as to prove himself an honest beggar. 
So he who would prevail with God, either for himself 
or his fellow-men, must not be offended if his sincer- 
ity be put to the test. 

The woman of Canaan was importuning and per- 
severing in her prayer to Christ for her daughter who 
was grievously vexed with a devil. Christ and his 
disciples were Jews; the woman was a Gentile. The 
disciples said, "Send her away, for she crieth after us." 
Then Jesus tested her faith by saying, "I am not sent 
but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then 
came she and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, help me." 
But he tested her again, and said, "It is not meet to 
take the children's [Jew's] bread, and to cast it to 
dogs [Gentiles]." And she said, "Truth, Lord; yet 
the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their mas- 
ter's table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, 
O woman, great is th)£ faith: be it unto thee even as 
thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from 
that very hour" (See Matt. xv. 22-28). 

Jacob was importuning and persevering in wres- 
tling with the angel of God. He wrestled until morn- 
ing, when he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou 
bless me." Some people get this wrong. I have 
heard penitents at the altar saying the same words that 
Jacob said, and yet did not profit thereby. Why ? Be- 
cause they imitated Jacob in word only and not in 
deed. If any would imitate Jacob at all they should 
imitate him in faith, for it was faith that caused him 
to speak so decidedly. Cause must be before effect. 
But to say such words without meaning them is 

S C & B— 6 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



neither a cause for anything nor an effect of any- 
thing. 

I believe physical exertion is not essentially requi- 
site to effectual prayer ; it is only a natural outgrowth 
of faith and diligence. Our prayers become effectual 
only in proportion to the amount of faith that accom- 
panies them. "But without faith it is impossible to 
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe 
that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dili- 
gently seek him" (Heb. xi. 6). Christ says, "What 
things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye 
receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark xi.24). 
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that 
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it 
shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing 
wavering. For he that wavereth is as a wave of the 
sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not 
that man think that he shall receive anything of the 
Lord" (James i. 5-7). "According to your faith be 
it unto you" (Matt. ix. 28). 

Our prayers should be incessant ; that is, we should 
never leave off praying. We should daily have our 
family prayer and our secret prayers. Yea, all day 
long we should be in a prayerful attitude toward God. 
"Pray without ceasing" (I. Thes. v. 17). 

Two things we should bear in mind. 

1. We must not suppose that God is dependent 
upon man for any knowledge whatever. 

2. The design of prayer is not to persuade God 
to a willingness to supply our needs. 

If God could not see our needs it is not likely that 
he could hear our prayers. If he did not earnestly 

—86— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



desire to supply our needs it is not likely that he 
would have us pray incessantly. Then, says some 
one, "If God knows our needs and is willing to sup- 
ply them, why should we pray at all?" "Nay, but, 
O man, who art thou that repliest against God?"' 
Shall the clay say to the potter, why hast thou made 
me thus? Surely no one but an ungodly man or a 
hypocrite would raise any objection against such a 
blessed ordinance. It is the Christian's meat and 
drink. God has ordained prayer to be the vehicle by 
which our faith may be conveyed to the eternal 
throne. Through prayer we become prepared to re- 
ceive God's mercies, and thereby we show our appre- 
ciation of mercies received. Surely what is not 
worth our humble petitions and our sincere thanks 
is worth neither receiving nor having. 

My reader may wonder why I have not classified 
this subject into private, family and public prayer, 
and treated each part separately. My reason is this: 
Whether we pray in our secret closet, around the fam- 
ily altar or at a public meeting, we must be sin- 
cere in our devotion, and not faithless, but believing; 
and with such devotion and faith we will be ready for 
prayer upon any occasion. 

However, I would say, he who neglects to pray in 
secret is likely to be overcome by the wicked one. 
And the last state of that man is worse than the first" 
(Matt. xii. 45). He who has no time nor sufficient 
interest to erect a family altar, around which himself 
and family may daily blend their voices together in 
prayer, may see the time when one of his family shall 
be taken and the other left, or perhaps all left. Prayer 

-87- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



in public should be energetic ; not like whispering be- 
hind a door in a sick room. I can't help but wonder 
what ails such feeble, praying Christians, especially if 
they have been in the service of God for years. "Let 
the redeemed of the Lord say so" (Ps. cvii. 2). 

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abun- 
dantly above all that we ask or think, according to the 
power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the 
church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world 
without end." Amen and amen!" 



s< 



S8r- 



Ghristian Duties | 

* "Let your light so shine before men, that they ^ 
X may see your good works, and glorify your $ 

T Father which is in heaven" (Matt. v. 16). 4 

THE following few pages, under the above sub- 
ject, will be employed for the edification of 
those particularly of whom more is to be ex- 
pected than of young converts, or beginners in the 
Christian religion. 

My purpose is not to itemize the whole duty of man ; 
however, I will call your attention to a few duties 
that are so often neglected. I believe that as Chris- 
tians we should be governed by principles, and not 
by precepts. The better we are established in the 
principles of the gospel the less need we will have for 
the precepts of the law. "The law is not made for a 
righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for 
the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, 
for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, 
for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile 
themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, 
for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing 
contrary to sound doctrine" (I. Tim. i. 9, 10). 

It is true, "The law was our schoolmaster to bring 
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under 
a schoolmaster" (Gal. iii. 24, 25). "For Christ is the 

-89- 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



end of the law for righteousness to every one that 
believeth" (Rom. x. 4). 

I know "the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the 
spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the 
one to the other : so that ye cannot do the things that 
ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not 
under the law. * * * * The fruit of the Spirit 
is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, good- 
ness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there 
is no law" (Gal. v. 17-23). Are we then to understand 
that whatever a Christian does when led by the Spirit 
and governed by the principles of the gospel, is right? 
\es. 13ut lest you misunderstand me, I will put it 
in this way. A Christian who is led by the Spirit and 
governed by the principles of the gospel will do, so 
far as he knows and understands, only that which is 
right. 

Your chief business as a Christian is not to buy, 
sell and get gain, but to glorify God in the salvation 
of men. To do this you must let all with whom you 
come in contact know that you are a Christian indeed. 
A certain minister once said, in reference to his con- 
duct and conversation, that wherever he went he 
wanted all men to know that he was a minister of the 
gospel. Brother, or sister, you are an ambassador for 
Christ, a citizen of another world ; let all men know it 
by a blameless conduct and a holy conversation. 

Your life is like a book which many are reading. 
If what men see in your life is consistent with your 
profession they will almost involuntarily be drawn 
toward Christ and the gospel; but if they see that 
your life is not consistent with your profession it may 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



cause them by and by to drift into infidelity. Thus in- 
stead of glorifying God you will dishonor him and be 
of more harm in the world than good. 

You should therefore be an example to all men and 
a pattern of good works. If you are a father or a 
mother you are highly responsible to God to give your 
children a proper religious training. Remember, even 
your own family will be influenced to Christ and the 
gospel in proportion to your faithfulness and earnest- 
ness. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- 
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the 
Lord." 

My dear Christian friends, let us live soberly, right- 
eously and godly in this present world, "looking for 
the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the 
great God and our Savior Jesus Christ ; who gave him- 
self for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, 
and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of 
good works." Let us be ready always to give an an- 
swer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope 
that is within us with meekness and reverence (see I 
Peter iii. 15). "But avoid foolish questions, and 
genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the 
law; for they are unprofitable and vain (Titus iii. 9). 




—91- 



Parable of the Ten Virgins | 

"And five of them were wise and five were fool- X 
ish" (Matt. xxv. 2). f 

PROFESSING Christians may be divided into 
two classes. They who are Christians indeed, 
and they who merely profess or pretend to be. 
The first class consists of men and women who love 
the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all 
their soul, and with all their mind, and their neighbor 
as themselves; and who prove their love to God and 
their neighbor by willingly obeying the commandments 
of Christ and observing the golden rule, "Whatsoever 
ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to 
them" (Matt. vii. 12). 

Among the second class we find men and women 
who want to be religious for no other purpose than 
to escape hell. They are "lovers of pleasure more 
than lovers of God," and they pray only when they 
get into trouble. Among this class we find also such 
as have left their first love and become careless and 
cold-hearted, and others whose consciences are so 
badly seared that they can do most anything without 
feeling remorse. 

The parable of the ten virgins is intended to show 
not only the present condition, but the future destiny 
of these two classes. It is intended to show the bless- 
edness of true religion and the awful consequences of 
carelessness and hypocrisy. 

—93— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



Hear the parable: "Then shall the kingdom of 
heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their 
lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And 
five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They 
that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil 
with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with 
their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried they all 
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry 
made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to 
meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed 
their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give 
us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the 
wise answered, saying, Not so ; lest there be not 
enough for us and you : but go ye rather to them that 
sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went 
to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were 
ready went in with him to the marriage; and the 
door was shut. Afterwards came also the other vir- 
gins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he an- 
swered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you 
not" (Matt. xxv. 1-12). 

We are told that the Jewish weddings were gener- 
ally celebrated in the night. The one spoken of in this 
parable by our Lord was after this custom. 

The young ladies expected and were expected to 
meet the bridegroom at his coming. Because the 
wedding was to be celebrated at night, it was required 
that each was to be provided with a lamp in burning 
condition.. They all were provided with lamps, and 
all went forth to meet the bridegroom ; but the foolish 
took either no oil, or not sufficient for the occasion, 
and in that did their foolishness consist. But the wise 

—94— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



seem to have carried an extra supply whereby they 
might replenish their lamps, if necessary, to main- 
tain the flame ; and in that did their wisdom consist. 

When the ten virgins received the news that the 
bridegroom was coming, and the command to go out 
and meet him, they who had no oil saw their folly 
as never before. They, too, had expected to go, but 
now they were not ready. They had no oil, and the 
wise had none to give them. The wedding would not 
be delayed for the sake of a few fools. What should 
they do? In their excitement they started toward the 
store for oil ; but while they were gone, and before they 
could get back, the wise virgins went with the bride- 
groom into the wedding apartment, and the door was 
shut. 

When the foolish came back, whether they obtained 
oil or not, -they found to their disgrace and sorrow 
that they had forfeited their anticipated enjoyment. 
The closed door signified to them who were without 
that the presence of fools was not agreeable to them 
who were within. Their friendship with both bride 
and groom had terminated forever. 

The meaning or application of the parable is this : 
When Christ shall come to judge the world; that is, 
in the day when he shall make up his "jewels" and 
when he shall send forth his angels to gather out of 
his kingdom all things that ofifend, and them which 
do iniquity; when he shall come to see how his gos- 
pel has been received, and to determine men's destiny 
and appoint them their place, then it will plainly ap- 
pear what was the real condition of all professing 
Christians. It will then be found out that many names 

—95— 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



have been written upon local church records that have 
never been written in heaven. 

The fond hope of entering heaven without the sal- 
vation of God in the soul is as useless as a lamp with- 
out oil. But how blessed their condition who are care- 
ful to make ample provisions and necessary arrange- 
ments in time, or at the time appointed. 

This is our watching and waiting time, while our 
Lord, the bridegroom, tarries. Why he tarries we 
do not know, but perhaps to give us more time to do 
good to those about us, that they may also enjoy the 
sweet rest of heaven; for the Lord is "not willing 
that any should perish, but that all should come to re- 
pentance" (II Peter iii. 9). Therefore, my Christian 
reader, in as much as it is possible "do the work of 
an evangelist." Or perhaps he tarries that we may 
better prepare ourselves for his coming. Then "we 
ought to give the more earnest heed to the things 
which we have heard, lest at any time we should let 
them slip" (Heb. ii. 1). 

We should expect his coming at all times, either to 
us individually by death, or to all the world in judg- 
ment. For if a man once comes to this that he says 
within his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming," 
consequently, living and acting as though he had no 
soul to save, as though there were no heaven to gain 
and no hell to shun; "the lord of that servant shall 
come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an 
hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, 
and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites : there 
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. xxiv. 
50, 51). 

-96- 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



When Jesus Christ shall come in the clouds of 
heaven with a great company of angels, to judge the 
quick and the dead, and to reward every man accord- 
ing to his works, there will be such a time as there 
never was; for before him shall be gathered all na- 
tions ; and he shall separate them one from another, as 
a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And 
he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats 
on the left" (Matt. xxv. 32, 33). 

"Then shall the king say unto them on his right 
hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the 
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world" (Matt. xxv. 34). 

Methinks about this time these blessed saints will 
step into the aerial conveyance to be transported to the 
shining portals of glory where the accompanying an- 
gels may introduce them as "they which have come 
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, 
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 
vii. 14). And then, I fancy, a great multitude of white 
robed saints, of which some will be recognized as their 
beloved ones over whose graves they once wept bitter 
tears, will come down to the celestial gate with harps 
of gold in their hands and crowns of glory upon their 
heads to give them a hearty reception to the sweet rest 
of heaven. Thus an abundant entrance will be admin- 
istered unto them. Then farewell earth with its sor- 
row and pain. Farewell heartaches and headaches, 
for "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor 
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the 
former things are passed away" (Rev. xxi. 4). "They 
shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither 

—97 



SPIRITUAL COUNSEL 



shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the 
Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed 
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of 
waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
eyes" (Rev. vii. 16, 17). 

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, 
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre- 
pared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. xxv. 41). 

That will be a sad time when they must bid their 
last farewell to mother, home, the hope of heaven, or 
all that was dear to them. What pangs of anguish 
will seemingly tear their hearts to pieces to think that 
they must go away into inconceivable punishment, 
while the righteous are received into the ineffable joys 
of heaven. How sad the sight when they shall see 
Abraham and Isaac and all the prophets in the king- 
dom of God, and they themselves thrust out. 

Reader, are you unsaved, and "is it nothing to you ?" 
"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician 
there?" Now is set before you the way of life and the 
way of death. To-day the door of mercy is open ; to- 
morrow it may be forever closed. 

Are you a Christian ? Then "set the trumpet to thy 
mouth," and shout, "O earth, earth, earth, hear the 
word of the Lord." Say unto them, "As I live, saith 
the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the 
wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and 
live : Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways ; for why 
will ye die" (Ezek. xxxiii. 11) ? "They that be wise 
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and 
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for- 
ever and ever" (Dan. xii. 3). 

—98— 



AND ENCOURAGEMENT 



The coming of the Lord may be applied to the in- 
evitable hour of death, as well as to the general judg- 
ment. The angel of death may have already received 
his commission concerning some of us, and ere long 
we may receive the summons to join 

"The innumerable caravan which moves 
To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death." 

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor 
the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Matt, 
xxv. 13). 

"I know not the hour of his coming, 

Nor how he will speak to my heart; 
Or whether at morning or midday, 

My spirit to him will depart. 
I know not the bliss that awaits me 

At rest with my Savior above ; 
I know not how soon I shall enter 

And bathe in the ocean of love. 
Perhaps in the midst of my labor, 

A voice from my Lord I shall hear; 
Perhaps in the slumber of mid-night, 

Its message may fall on my ear. 
I know not, but, O, I am waiting, 

My lamp ever burning and bright; 
I know if Jesus will call me 

At morning, at noon, or at night. 
But I know I shall wake in the likeness 

Of him I am longing to see ; 
I know that my eyes shall behold him, 

And that is enough for me." 

LOFC, —99— 



AUG 6 190? 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. ; 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Oct. 2005 

PreservationTechnologie^i 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPfcii PI ' SERVATlON 
111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 1606E 
(724)779-211] 



